Cate hails from Findlay, Ohio, where she became involved in gymnastics at age 4. She graduated from Indiana University with degrees in Portuguese, Spanish and Gender Studies. In 2009 Cate was introduced to Latin dancing while working abroad in Spain. She began her salsa training in Sevilla, studying under instructor and performer Sergio Dominguez Vazquez at Academia Merecumbe. Recently Cate has expanded her dance repertoire, becoming involved in break dance and contemporary genres.